Ferguson has no issue with Red Knights

06 March 2010 01:05

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The most powerful Red Knight at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson, has handed wealthy wannabe United owners an unlikely campaign fillip. A blast from Fergie could have wrecked support for the green and gold crusade and any subsequent bid. But the United boss insists he doesn't have a problem with the group of bankers and lawyers called the Red Knights and the Manchester United Supporters Trust's scarf campaign. He does, however, point out that the Glazers are refusing to sell, despite the £1.5bn pledged to the Knights in their bid to unseat the Florida-based owners. Fergie said: "Our chief executive David Gill summed it up. The club is not for sale. "But I have no issue with the Red Knights. I know some of them. I don't deny them their right to protest. If they want to try and buy the club that is entirely up to them. "When United became a plc in 1991, they were always going to be bought. People forget that point. Once you are a plc your company can be bought. "I don't mind people protesting. I did it myself. I led an apprentice strike in the 60s. Protest is no problem for me. "What is the issue for me, or it would be an issue, is if it went against the team's performance. "There were plenty of green and gold scarves on Sunday at Wembley for the Carling Cup final. I was delighted to see them supporting the club. "I would even take City fans. We take all sinners! As long as they are supporting Manchester United they can wear whatever they like." Fergie's refusal to dismiss the potential might of the Red Knights didn't extend to Keith Harris - the group's most prominent member. Gill claimed that City of London stockbroker Harris, who has been behind previous takeovers at City, West Ham and Chelsea, was a publicity-seeker. And Fergie scoffed at Harris's idea that United fans would boycott matches in the future. "Now that is a great idea. That has come from an intelligent guy has it? There is no chance of that," said the United boss. An official spokesman for the Red Knights said: "No specific discussions have been held in relation to the value of Manchester United, and all numbers circulating in the media are purely speculation. "People are talking about putting their own money in and are only going to do so, if it's a fair and reasonable price - every penny over a fair price that goes to the Glazers in profit is less money that can be spent on putting the club on a sound financial footing after any takeover." What do you think? Have your say.